Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is doing a double-header tonight just outside the district’s boundaries. First, wearing his California Commission for Economic Development chairman’s hat, he’s doing a Q-and-A “on future job growth in the area including renewable energy and science and technology employment” with the Tri-Valley Business Council, from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in McNamara’s Restaurant, 7400 San Ramon Road in Dublin. It’s not a campaign event, but you can bet a fair number of attendees live or own businesses within the 10th District.

Then Garamendi will do a campaign event, talking with the Tri Valley Democratic Club about job development, education and health care “including the benefits shift many Lawrence Livermore Lab retirees are now facing;” that’s at 7:30 p.m. in the IBEW Hall at 6250 Village Parkway in Dublin.

“As Congressman, I’m going to practice what I preach,” Hampton said in a news release. “The job of a representative is to listen to and lead huge groups of people, and that means using new technologies to harness the ideas of many. I’ve picked the Drug War an the issue for my first foray into collaborative policymaking because it has damaged families throughout this district and the whole nation.”

Aren’t we lucky in the 10th. Congressional District ? First, we have Tauscher who spent more time “assessing” nuclear safeguards in her numerous foreign junkets at taxpayers expense. Then, she drops her seat months after her re-election only to “retire” at that cesspool known as “Foggy Bottom” AKA State Department. Now, we get all of these political re-treads, off-beat novices wannabees trying to get their own snouts in the public feeding trough. We are so lucky to have this unfortunate political debacle occur to us. If it wasn’t so funny, it would be tragic.

http://adrielhampton.wordpress.com/ Adriel Hampton

Thanks for the coverage, Josh. Great candidates forum tonight in Dublin. That Anthony Woods has a bright future in political leadership.

Garamendi’s May 4 article on the Bay Area as an example of gridlock says that he supports converting “500 miles of carpool lanes would be converted to HOT lanes”. Toll lanes. He goes on to say “By generating revenues from willing HOT drivers, the region will have a somewhat reliable source of revenue to work on other transit projects” and then “While some have raised concerns that HOT lanes give wealthy commuters special access – and this is a criticism I take very seriously – I would argue that broad access and equity in services are best achieved with a package of transportation solutions that includes the expansion of longer distance rapid transit bus service”

The middle-class gets screwed again.

Rich

Garamendi has been running for office since the early 1980′s, he has a reputation for being a total hack. Bloggers reflecting on his wacky run for the CD 10 seat are calling him “The Hack from Sac”, as in Sacramento. He’s a longtime Sacramento based politician, of course, with zero ties to Contra Costa.
One blogger has suggested Garamendi should go with the following slogan for his campaign. “John Garamendi for Congress: A Voice From The Central Valley for Contra Costa.” It’s just absurd this guy is running for this seat. In terms of nicknames, I think ” The Walnut Gove Windbag” really works. Most agree Garamendi is a total blowhard, and he does live in Walnut Grove – which most Contra Costan’s have never heard of, so I think that nickname works.

Rich

Contra Costa has a sterling record for sending talented politicians to DC. Jerry Waldie – he was Jess Unruh’s right hand guy in the Assembly in the 60′s before becoming a Congressman from Contra Costa (he was the first guy I ever voted for). George Miller, who replaced Waldie, is powerful chairmen of the House Education Committee. He’s got power in DC like you won’t believe! Taucher is so highly regarded she has regularly been touted as a possible US Senator, and is so highly respected Clinton picked her to be the US Arms Control Director. Given this incredible track record our county has of sending top notch talent to DC why would voters choose a hack from the Central Valley – like John Garamendi – to represent us in DC? I don’t see Garamendi as the next Congressman from Contra Costa. We ahve this tradition of sending substinative people to DC, and I think voters will pass on the “Hack from Sac “